END OF SUMMER REPORT: Exhausted in Iowa
I slid open the door and half rolled/half stepped out of our van into the middle of an Iowa cornfield, squinting and rubbing my eyes in the bright Midwestern sun.
“Well… it looks like we’re here, guys.”
I shook my head in an attempt to clear it, then licked my lips and cleared my throat.
My head still felt foggy and my mouth still felt dry.
I fished in my pocket for one of my last remaining pieces of gum, located it, and then popped it out of its sealed plastic bubble with only minor difficulty.
I put the gum into my mouth and began chewing vigorously.
It was our third consecutive day of travel.
Thursday morning we had left early from Cusco, a small Peruvian mountain town with an elevation of more than 11,000 feet and we had arrived in Panama City in the evening.
Friday we had traveled from Panama City to Chicago and then driven four hours to our home in Eastern Iowa, again arriving in the evening.
Saturday we had left home shortly after 5 AM and traveled several hours to the small town of Rock Valley in Western Iowa, where we were scheduled to do a soundcheck for a Lifelight music festival and perform later in the evening.
I had managed to grab a few hours of sleep on the road and now I was going to attempt a half-hearted soundcheck in my half-awake state.
I cleared my throat again. This was going to be interesting.
Our trip to Peru - our seventh nation in seven months - had been amazing. We had been part of an On The Go Ministries outreach festival, and had seen thousands of people respond to the life-changing message of Jesus throughout a week’s worth of shows and ministry events.
It had been a truly amazing experience, but most of us were on the verge of exhaustion, and now it was time to begin again.
And so we did.
Working with a uniquely kind and professional production team, we were able to finish our soundcheck quickly. Several hours later, when the show began, I was genuinely impressed with the caliber and energy of the other bands and the “Stunt Dudes” BMX team.
We performed, doing our best to give it everything we had, and then the gifted evangelist Alan Greene shared the incredible message of Jesus with the crowd.
When he had finished, many people responded, saying “yes” to the forgiveness, freedom, and reconnection with God available through Jesus Christ.
And as I climbed down from the stage, completely soaked in sweat, I smiled to myself.
We were completely exhausted, but it had been worth it.
Because people had encountered the love of Jesus, and I knew that their lives would never be the same.
And this is why we do what we do.
Our festival in the city of Pucallpa, Peru, with On The Go Ministries, last month was a powerful ministry experience, culminating in a large, two night festival - God moved in powerful ways and more than 1000 people said “yes” to the forgiveness and freedom available through relationship with Jesus Christ. We praise God for everything, and we’re so thankful for your partnership in this incredible mission!
Our mandate is to reach AS MANY AS POSSIBLE with the message of Jesus – every time you pray for this ministry, support the mission financially, or share the music and the message, you help us reach thousands with the love of Jesus, and we can’t thank you enough for your partnership. Over the next few months, we’re scheduled to minister at large outreaches across the USA, and in MOLDOVA, THAILAND, and LAOS.
If you’re interested in being part of our team, here are THREE easy ways you can help:
1) PRAY: We have countless stories of being strengthened to fulfill our mission overseas as a direct result of the faithful prayer of friends like you.
2) SUPPORT: Every gift helps us reach the nations with the love and message of Jesus!
3) SHARE: Music is our tool to reach the world with this message. LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE on social media if you like it – it helps more than you know!
If you haven’t heard our latest CD, THROUGH IT, please check it out! You can listen on Spotify or watch our latest video here:
